Apparatus for proportioning flows of different materials



Jan. 5, 1954 R. P. LOWE APPARATUS FOR PROPORTIONING FLOWS OF DIFFERENTMATERIALS 4 Sheets-Sheer. 1

Filed Jan. 6, 1951 CQ 1 12s AA Y INVENTOR. afy L 0 we ATTORNE Y5.

Jan. 5, 1954 R P LOWE 2,664,907

APPARATUS Fm PhOPORTIONING FLOWS OF DIFFERENT MATERIALS Filed Jan. 6,1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. film y Z awe ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 5, 1954 R. P. LO 2,664,907 APPARATUS FOR PROPORTIONING FLOWS OFDIFFERENT MATERIALS Filed Jan. 6, 1951 I 4 Sheets-Sheet. 3

INVENTOR.

i zxiy Lowe BY WWW ATTORNEYS- Jan. 5, 1954 WE 2,664,907

R. P. O APPARATUS FOR PROPORTIONING FLOWS OF DIFFERENT MATERIALS ToBLEND IN V EN TOR.

X? zzafy Z owe ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 5, 1954 APPARATUS FOR PROPORTIONING FLOWS OF DIFFERENTMATERIALS Rudy P. Lowe, Cranston, R. I.,

assignor to Proportioneers, Inc., a corporation of Rhode IslandApplication January 6, 1951, Serial No. 204,780

13 Claims. (01. 137-100) This invention relates to a device fordelivering two or more liquids simultaneously in definite quantityproportions to each other which can be varied at will.

In the blending of synthetic products prior to packaging or shipmentsuch as lubricating oils, additives, synthetic fuels and the like, thereis a demand for the highest possible accuracy as well as completelyautomatic operation in component proportioning. This requirement has notbeen fully recognized in prior devices as far as I am aware and all areovercome in my improved device.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of the abovecharacter that will be positive, completely automatic, accurate,reliable in operation, quickly adjustable to deliver different quantityproportions as desired within the close tolerances which will provide anaccurate proof of performance on individual totalizers withoutdelivering finished end product and which will recirculate allcomponents and cut out the totalizers if for any reason any one liquidstops, or there is a mechanical failure in the equipment. Onrectification of the failure, the device will automatically go back inoperation, restoring the entire shortage or subtracting the overage sothat the integrated demands of the respective pacing units will becompletely satisfied in terms of correctly proportioned finishedproduct.

My device applies to two or a plurality of liquids consistingessentially in the use of a constant speed motor preferably synchronousto provide constant speed driving means for a master rate controlleradjustable from a maximum through and as described in Patenti-2,405,957. This variable speed device determines the number ofrotations per unit of time made by common shaft from which are driventhe respective pacing units for the various components.

Heretofore, it has been proposed to mix two liquids by the use of asuitable differential whose primary shafts are caused to rotate by theflow of the respective liquids and whose secondary member actuates avalve or other control device controlling the flow of one of the liquidsso that it will always flow in the desired proportion to the otherliquid. Likewise several liquids may be added to a primary liquid byemploying a differential for each added liquid and causing one primaryshaft of each differential to be actuated by the primary liquid and theother primary shaft of each differential to be actuated by the liquid tobe added while the secondary member of each differential actuates avalve or other control device controlling the ilow of the added liquidso that it will always be delivered to the primary liquid in the desiredproportion. Also, it has been proposed to drive a common shaft with aplurality of differentials, one for each liquid to be mixed, each havingits primary shaft driven from the common shaft and with the secondprimary shaft of each of these differentials driven by the rotatableshaft of a meter through which the respective liquid passes. Thesecondary member of each differential is caused to operate a controlvalve in the flow line carrying the liquid connected with eachrespective differential. The proportions are arranged by selecting thegearing between the common shaft and the primary of each differential orchanged by changing this gearing. Under the first mentioned flow controlthere is a lag in the secondary flow in adjusting itself in theestablishing of a stable condition in the said main flow. Under thesecond condition much time must be spent in properly adjusting each flowline to provide the desired proportion. Further, no means have ever beenproposed, as far as I am aware, for making a test run without involvingthe actual passing of material through the apparatus.

An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for proportioningthe quantities of a plurality of different materials in which eachmaterial will be supplied in relation to a unit quantity of the combinedcomposition of said materials.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus forproportioning the quantities of a plurality of different materials bymeans of a mechanical rotary pacing system which will represent thecombined materials.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an apparatus forproportioning the quantities of a plurality of different materials inwhich each material will be supplied in a percentage to the totalquantity of said materials based upon a pacing rotary movement whichwill be unity for the combined materials.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus forproportioning a plurality of different materials which is so constructedas to establish a linear relation between the control setting and thepercent composition in the blend of materials.

,Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus forproportioning a plurality of different materials which is so constructedas to provide a pacing system with an independent master control whichwill control the production rate without disturbing the proportion ofthe composition.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus forproportioning a plurality of different materials which is so constructedas to provide an accurate 'blending'oi the. accumu: lated severalmaterials at any instant during operation.

Another object of the invention is to providean apparatus forproportioning a plura-lityot diiferent materials to make a blended:composi tion which is so constructed as to minimize loading of the flowcontrol units=so as to'better'main tain an accurate flow control;'

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus forproportionlng; a: plurality: of? different materials to make a blendedcomposition which is so constructed that thepropor tions of material maybe quickly and readily changed for varying thecompositionof'the'connbined material.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus forproportioninga=plurality of dif-' f'e'rent materials to makea blendedcomposition which is so constructed as to provide for automaticallyrecirculating all materials upon the failure of the flow ofany materialto conformto a predetermined flow requirementand to automaticallyre-start' the blending operation when said failure has been correctedand'to then make up the amount of-materi'al lost inthe temporary failureofsaid flow of material.

Another obiect'of the-invention is-.to provide an apparatus forproportioning a'plurality of-dif- Another object oftheduventiOn-istoprovide an apparatus according to the preceding object in which thepacing system=may be calibrated by' means of a totalizer mechanism andto'providea test position which will totalize flow whilea recirculatingof material is beingmade;

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus forproportioning a plurality'of different materials to make ablended'compositionthereof which is so constructedasto'control the flouof the-materials based on the total quantity required in the blendedcomposition.

With these and other objects in view; the invention consists of certainnovel features of construction, as will be more fully described andpar-- ticularly pointed out inth'e appended claims."

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a front elevational view of the panels forming part of apreferred form of an apparatus for proportioning flows of differentmaterials embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a rear view of two of the panels shown in Figure 1illustrating the relative positions of various instruments and unitstructures of the apparatus;

Figure 3 is a sectional-view taken along-line adaptedto control a liquidmaterial.

3--3 of Figure 1 showing a fragmental portion of the apparatus;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 ofFigure 3;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a counter included in theapparatus shown partly in section}.

Figure dis a sectional view showing the position of certain units of theapparatus and taken substantially along line %5 of Figure 2;

Figure! is arsideelevational view of an automatic: control means;

Figure 8 is an elevational view partly in section showing a-clut'chcontrol means; and

Figure 9'is"a diagrammatic view of various units and instruments formingpart of the apparatusshown .1 in .Figure 1.

Referring first to Figure there is shown in thisfigure-a general layoutof the apparatus with the various instruments; valves, other elementsand connections illustrated in a very general manner witlrno attemptmade to show actual. structure or proper relative positions. oftheseparts as would appear in the actual set up offthe.

apparatus. The'apparatus comprises amaster unit lElan'd secondcomponentunits l i, H which aresimilar to each other and in the presentdicclosure are adaptablefor controlling two separate fiows ofliquid-materials. A component unit such as II or- II will be used foreach material. to be acted uponi Should'there be four differentmaterialsin the composition made; then there would be four of suchcomponent units. As stated, the apparatus shown is particularly However,thepr-incipl'e di'sclosedis adapted to be employed for the proportioningof dry'materials or a combinationof'liquids and dry materials.

The master unit it] comprises a master control power'source; preferablyan electric motor l'2whicli is directly connected by mean of a shaftiii-tea master rate controller 14 which preferably comprisesail-infinitely variable stepless integrator transmission which isadjustablefrom zero'to maximum. This-integrator [4 may beofFany=suitablemanufacturc'and its output shaft is-suitably connected toa shaft l5 which is common to all component units H, H and providesa-mechanical rotary pacing arrangement therefor;

The component units H, H are similar to each other and only one will bedescribed. Like partsof the other component unit will be indi'-- catedby similar but primed numerals. A ratio controller or integrator l6forming part of the component unit I! is similar to the integrator l4and has input and output shafts i1, i8 and is manually adjustable toproduce the desired speed ratio between the said input and output shaftsll; IS. The input shaft I1 is connected to the shaft [5 by means of adevice shown conventionally as consisting of a bevel gear connection [9but which may be of any approved manufacture. Thus, the speeds of theshafts ll, ll

.of theintegrators l6; l6 are identical to each other and increasing ordecreasing the speed of the said shaft [5 by means of the masterintegrator l4-will correspondingly increase or decrease the-speed ofshafts IT and i? in a like ratio;-

A- difierential gearing mechanism designated generally 20'which may beof any approved man ufa'cture and having a very high ratio ofapproximately three hundred and eighteen to one isillilStlatedconventionally as consisting of two bevel gears 2|, 22positioned to face each other with their center of rotation coincident.These gears 2!, 22 are rotated in opposite directions by means of gearwheels 23, 24 which are engaged by pinions 25, 26 secured to thedifferential primary shafts 2'5 and 28. The secondary member of thedifferential is shown conventionally as a shaft 29 extendingcoincidental with the center of rotation of the gears 2|, 22 and hasattached thereto a bearing support 29a which extends radially betweenthe gears 22, 23 and on the end portions of which bevel gear pinions 38,3] are mounted for free rotation. These bevel pinions extend intoengagement with the said gears 2 I, 22. As is well known in the art, therotation of the two gears 2 I, 22 in opposite directions and at the samespeed will produce zero movement in the secondary shaft 29 and adifference in speed between the said gears 2| 22 will cause the bevelpinions 38, 3| to revolve or be carried about the axes of rotation ofthe gears 21, 22 to rotate the secondary shaft 29. The primary shaft 21of the differential gearing is connected to the output shaft 1 8 of theintegrator I 6 by means of a clutch connection 32 which may be manuallycontrolled to connect or disconnect the said shafts I8, 21.

The flow of the component liquid to be proportioned is caused to flowthrough a flow meter 33 of a rotavane type in which a unit volume ofliquid in passing through the meter produces a definite, constantangular movement of the meter shaft. The meter 33 may be positioned atany suitable location and its shaft may be connected by a flexible cableor shaft 34 to a connector 35 and from there to the primary shaft 28 ofthe differential by means of a clutch connection 36 which may be similarto the clutch connection 32 and similarly controlled to connect ordisconnect the said shaft 28 to the connector 35. It is desirable thateach clutch 32, 36 be operated simultaneously and to this end a clutchoperating mechanism designated generally 31 is provided. This mechanismis shown diagrammatically by means of a rod 38 having a pair of clevises39, 48 thereon which extend into engagement with the said clutches 32,36, moving the rod 38 in a proper direction will connect or disconnectthe clutches 32 and 36, depending upon the direction of movement of therod 38.

Since a unit volume of liquid passed through the meter 33 is measured interms of angular movement of the meter shaft regardless of the rate ofthe flow, the speed of the shaft I5 is made to represent unity of volumeof the combined liquids at any instant during operation. With this basicarrangement, it is then only necessary in proportioning the flow of eachliquid to adjust the said integrators !8, l5 so as to produce therequired speed of rotation of the output shaft l8 to the properpercentage of the speed of the input shaft ll. Thus, if unit II is todeliver twenty-five per cent of the total volume of the combinedliquids, the integrator 16 will be adjusted to produce a speed in itsoutput shaft l8 equal to twenty-five per cent of the speed of the inputshaft I! which must be matched or equalled by the speed of rotation ofthe meter shaft. Should the volume of liquid passing through the meterbe greater or less than that required to produce rotation of the metershaft at a speed equal to that set by the shaft l8, then a rotationalmovement will be had in the secondary shaft 29. This movement of theshaft 29 is made to control the flow of liquid through the meter 33 in amanner to be now described.

The liquid to be proportioned by unit H is moved through a pipe lineindicated by solid lines 42, from a supply source (not shown) by meansof a pump 43 which is electrically operated. The meter 33 is interposedin the pipe line 42 and an air-controlled, diaphragm-oper ated springloaded valve 44 is positioned on the inflow side of the meter to controlthe flow of liquid through the said meter. A diaphragmoperated,three-way valve 45 is positioned to control the outflow of liquid fromthe meter 33. This valve 45 is in turn operated by means of asolenoid-controlled, air-operated spring loaded pilot valve 45. Shouldthe air fail, the spring loading will cause the valve to move to a safeposition. A return pipe line 41 extends from the valve 45 to the intakeside of the pump 43 to recirculate the liquid in a manner to be herein-'after described. Air under pressure is supplied through an air line 48and branch line 49 to the pilot valve 46. There is also interposed inthe pipe line 42 an air eliminator 58 through which the flow of liquidis made to pass prior to being passed through the meter 33, whereby toremove air which may have entered the pipe line 42. The device 50 isalso made to function as a blow back to clean the pipe line of aprevious liquid so as to prevent contamination when formulations ofcomposition are changed. For this function the device 58 is controlledby means of a solenoid-operated air valve 5| which is connected by abranch line 52 to the air line 48. This air valve 5| admits air at ahigh point in the recirculating system and serves to return any liquidin the recirculating lines to its source of supply.

An air controller instrument 53, which may be of any approvedmanufacture preferably of the anticipatory type with adjustment forsensitivity and automatic reset, operates instantaneously upon slightmotion of the input shaft 29 and is connected by a branch line 54 to theair line 48 and by line 55 to the said valve 44. The shaft 23 of thedifferential is extended to be connected to the instrument 53 wherebythe said instru ment is operated to instantaneously control the flow ofair therethrough. Should the flow of liquid through the meter 33 begreater than that required, the shaft 29 will be rotated in a directionto cause the instrument 53 to instantaneously increase the air supply tothe valve 44 to move the same in a direction to reduce the flow ofliquid through the meter 33. Likewise, if the flow through meter 33 isinsufficient, the shaft 29 will be moved instantaneously in the oppositedirection to cause the instrument to decrease the air supply to saidvalve 44 'to permit the same to be moved in a direction to increase theflow through the meter 33.

The electrical circuit is indicated generally by dash lines 56 andincludes high and low limit switches 51 and 58. These switches arepositioned on either side of the shaft 29, at a location to be engagedby an arm 59 carried by the shaft 29 when moved rotatively a distancede-.

termined by the position of said switches. Upon the failure of the flowof liquid to reach the meter 33 in proper volume or upon failure of theair line permitting the closing of valve 44, the difference in speedsbetween the meter shaft and shaft l8 will produce an angular movement inshaft 29 to swing the arm 58 into engagement with the low limit switch58 to operate the solenoid of pilot valve 46 to close valve d5 to thepassage of liquid through the portion 68 of pipe aces- 90w line: 42:beyond valve 45 The valve 45 will; now be opened to branch pipeline 411'to re'circulate the liquid. through pump 43', line 4-2: and' meter 33".during the period' of said failure until cor rected or the apparatusmanually brought tonen, to' place the apparatus on recirculation asabovedescrib'ed. Upon correction-or elimination of the cause of such;failures and-.the supply returned: to stable condition the apparatuswill automatically return on blend. The flow of 1iq-' uid through themeter during the period. of becoming stabilized: or at any such time itmay increase or decrease will be made up in the amount loss or gain asmeter 33' responds of liquidpassed-; that is, if the flow isinsufficient the same will necessarily be increased in theamountrequired for the inetershaft to be rotated to-the' number of turns madeby the shaft I6 and the amount of. liquid loss will thereby be madeupduring the return ofsaidshaft 34 to rotate at the pace set by shaftIt. If the supply is so as toprovide an excess of liquid, then thevolume of liquid passed through the meter 33 will necessarily be at adecreasing quantity toreturn the meter shaft to-the speed ofthe pace setbythe shaft. I-8 and which will likewise make up for the gain. in.liquid. The limit switches of com ponent unit II are interlocked withthe similar switchesof the component unit II whereby both component.units will go on recirculation upon failure ofliquid flow in either ofsaid component units. A manually operable switch 6| is also provided forplacing the component unit II in and. out of operation and lights 62. 63normally inactive are controlled by switches 5! and 58 to indicate. the.type of flow failure.

Upon failure of. the supply limit switch 59 moves. valve 46 to shiftvalve 45. to recirculation. Valve 44. will be wide open. Then uponreturn of. the liquid from the supply, the meter 33 will be. actuated bythe liquid passing therethrough and the wide open valve 44 to start theshaft 29- to. return. As this starts tov return valve 46 shift valve 45to on stream position so that by the time the. shaft 28 has reached abalance with shaft 21 the lost volume will have been restored.

The apparatus isalso provided with an arrangement whereby a test run maybe made without passing any liquid through the apparatus, therebyavoiding waste of material. Each test run may be made for apredetermined period and. automatically come to rest when the test hasbeen completed. To this end, each component unit is provided with acounter 64 having a re-set feature whereby the counter may be set withthe clutch 66. Rocking of said shaft 61 will move the said clutch 66into or. out of driving relation, depending upon the direction ofrocking of said shaft 61. The shaft is rocked by means of. an aircylinder 68 controlled by solenoidoperated valve 69. Air is furnished tothe cylinder 68- through the valve 66 by means of 2.

There is also provided a clutch 8 suitable branch line' I0- connectingwith the airline 48.

The. various instruments, devicesand the controls therefor, heretoforedescribed, are preferably mounted on a master panel II and componentpanels 1-2,. I2 (see Figs. 1 and 2). The motor I-2- and rate controllerMare suitably supported on: a frame'I3' forming part of the masterpanel- 'H-. The motor I2- is set into motion by means of a-magneticmotor starter I4. The rate controllerv or integrator I4 is-adjustedbymeans of a manually operated mechanism designated generally 15 securedto thepanel I I- and having a shaft I6 (see Figure 3-) journalled in abearing support III: having a plate I8 secured in position on the frontof panel I -I.v The shaft I6 extends through the'plate I6 and hasattached thereto a hand wheel I8 for manually turning the shaft 16..Sprocket-wheels 80, 6| are mounted on the shaft I6. andthe wheel 8I-isconnected by means of a sprocket chain 82 (see Fig. 2) to a sprocketwheel 83 fixedtothe: control shaft 64' of the integrator III- turningshaft which will adjust the output speed of the saidintegrator I4. Anindicator 85v is mounted onthe plateIB to be viewed from the front ofthepanel H (see Fig. 1-) and its shaft (see Fig. 2) has a sprocket wheel 86attachedthereto and. connected to the sprocket 86 by a chain 81.. Theindicator 85 may be calibrat'ed. in. such a manner that upon turning ofthe shaft 16 the setting ofthe integrator M will be shown. and therebythe speed of theoutput shaft I5.

The bevel gear drivev I9 and the ratio controller or integratorv I6.of.unit I I are mounted on the frame. ofpanel. I2 (see Figs. 2- and 6). Inpractice,v the shaft I5' for. assembly reasons is made insections I5.which are joined by universal connection I50... The integrator I6 isalso controlled. by a. mechanism designated generally 88' (Fig. 6)having a. shaft 89. journallecl in a bearing. support SO-having a plateSII attached to the front of the panel. The shaft-89 has a hand Wheel;92' thereon and extends to be connected to the control. 93' of. theintegrator H3. The mechanism- 88. also includes an-indicator 94 on theshaft of. which. a sprocket wheel 95 is attached. A sprocket wheel. 96.is carried by shaft 53 and a chain 91 is trained over said sprocketwheels 95, 96 whereupon rotating of saidshaft 89 causes said indicatortobe operated toindicate th setting of' said integrator. The indicatormay be calibrated to indicate in percentage the ratio of the settingofthe integrator IE to the master shaft I5. The differential 20- is alsomounted on the panel. 12 and. inthepractical construction of theapparatus is. shown connected to the output of the integrator I6 bymeans of shaft portions I8, 21 connected toeach other by a clutch 32.The other primary shaft of the differential may be connected to theconnection 35 by shaft 28 including clutch 36. The clutches 32 and 36are simultaneously controlled from the front of panel "by means of ashaft 38 (Fig. 6) having a handle. M5 for. manually turning the same. Alever I06 (see-Figure 8-) ismounted to rotate with the shaft 36 and asimilar lever IOBa is mounted for freev pivotal aotionas at I01. A pairof links I98 are pivotallyattached to the free ends of the leversto-engage the-clutches 32 and 36 and lift the same out ofdriving'relation with the shaft portions I8=and 28 when said shaft 38 is movedin one direction. Upon movement of the shaft 38 in the other. direction,thelinks I08 will be moved generally vertically in a downward directionto permit the said clutches 32 and 36 to move by the action of gravityinto driving relation with the shaft portions [8, 28. The shaft 33 alsoupon rotation from one position to another controls the air valve we(Fig. 7) to out off the air supply to the air operated controller 53whenever the clutches 32 and 3'6 are disengaged. A lever He is securedto the shaft 38 and depends therefrom and is provided with a pin iii atthe free end thereof. extending into engagement with the pin HI ispivoted as at H4 .to a bracket H5 on the body of the valve Hi9 and ispivotally joined at the other end to the plunger H6 of the valve H19.Upon rotation of said shaft 38, lever H will turn lever H2 about pivotH4 to move plunger Hi; to operate said valve i 09.

The counter 64 of component unit H is mounted on the panel 12 to beviewed from the front thereof and is connected to a primary shaft of thedifferential 2b, as by means of a flexible connection Ill (see Figs. 2and The clutch 66 is mounted within the housing of the counter and theclutch-operating shaft til is connected to the air cylinder 68 as bymeans of a clevis H8 (Fig. 2) carried by the shaft 8'! and pivotallysecured to the plunger H9 of the air cylinder 68. The instruments,device and controls of unit ll are likewise mounted on panel 12'. Theelectric and branch circuits are controlled by a main 1 master switch Ewhich has five different settings (not shown) for providing fivedifferent operations of the apparatus. There are oh, drive, test, blend,and flow back positions. Each component unit H, I! also has a switch 6|,6| respectively, for placing said components in and out of operativeposition.

The operation of the apparatus Assuming a new formulation of compound tobe made, the operator turns master switch I26 to the drive positionilluminating the left light I23 on panel II and starting motor I2 whichoperates line shaft it through variable speed con troller M. Thecomponents required in the blend are then selected by turning pistolgrip switches BI and Bi which start the pumps 43 and 43 setting up arecirculation of the respective components through the air eliminators5B and 50', control valves id and 54, meters 33 and 33, recirculationvalves 65 and 45', and conduits 4i and ll. The object of thisrecirculation procedure at this point is to eliminate all air from thesystem. so that metering errors will not be caused when the system isfinally put on stream. The fact that these switches have been properlyset is indicated by the illumination of supervisory signal lights 62,62, 63, and 63' at the head of each component panel 12 and 12. Masterrate controller I4 is now set to the rate of speed corresponding to thedesired rate of delivery of total finished product and component ratiocontrollers i5 and IS. are set to produce the percentage required of thefluid controlled by each component unit 1 l and ii. Pistol grips Hi5 andH are now engaged connecting pacing and metering elements to differentials 29 and 2t. At this point totalizers 64 and 64 are not yetconnected into the system because clutches 65 and 65' are not yetengaged. The operator allows pointers l25 and I25 to come to the setpoint before taking the next step.

It will be noted that at this point in the procedure the purpose forrecirculating each component is to allow the individual control valves54 and M to reach whatever positions are required A lever H2 having aforked end H3 to produce the flows demanded; this condition exists onlywhen the pointers 225i and 25 on the air controllers 53 and 53 are attheir set points. The set point of the pointers I25 and 525' which aredirectly connected to secondary shafts 2d and 29' of differentials 23and 25 will always be the same regardless of the positions required ofthe control valves 44 and 44 as the controllers 53 and 53 are of thefloating type as distinguished from the proportional type in which adifferent position of the pointer is required for every differentposition of the flow control valves is and 44,

The totalizers Ed and G4 are reset to zero before switch E28 is moved tothe test position.

When switch I20 is moved to the test position, the middle light I23 isilluminated and the left light is extinguished. The totalizers aresimultaneously clutched into the system by air cylinder 63 and apreliminary run is made with all components in recirculation through aireliminators 5d and valves and 44, meters 33 and 33', 3-way valves 45 and45', and conduit ii and ii.

Timer I22 presets the duration of thetest run and on completion of thisperiod totalizers @3 3 and 64' are automatically ole-clutched by aircylinder 68. At the end of the test period the figures shown by thetotalizers (it and E i will immediately enable the operator to check thepercentages set on ratio controllers i6 and It because the totalizers 64and 6 1 when added to gether and the individual totals divided by thesum of the two will give percentages which can be checked against therespective handwheel settings. Furthermore, the aforementioned sum willalso give a check on the setting of ratio controller M. It shall beborne in mind that totalizers 64 and 64' actually read total flowthrough meters 33 and 33 during the test run. If the totals shown by theindividual totalizers are as set on the ratio controllers It and it, theoperator then manually resets the totalizers. However, if electricallyreset totalizers are employed, an additional position is provided onswitch'ltii marked totalizer reset, and the operator would move theswitch to this position before moving to the next position which isblend.

The moment the operator moves switch i253 to the blend position heilluminates the right hand light I23 on the master control panel ii andextinguishes the center light, which automatically trips recirculationvalves 45 and 35' to a position which closes recirculation conduits iiand il and opens the connections 69 and 69' to the blend manifold.Simultaneously with the tripping of the 3-way recirculation valves, thetotaiizers lid and 64 are clutched into the system so that totalsappearing during and at the completion of the run will correctly reporttotal quantities of each component in the finished product.

Should any component supply to the system fail to correspond exactly tothe demands set up by shafts I8 and E8, the secondary shafts 251 and 29of the differentials 20- and 2!) together with pointers I25 and H5 willbe displaced from their set point positions until contacts 58 and 58'are closed. Closing of the contacts 58 and 58 immediately de-clutchestotalizers 64 and 64' by energizing air cylinder 68 and at the same timetrip recirculation valves 45 and it so as to throw the entire blender onrecirculation until the difiiculty has been corrected. On restoration ofthe flow which failed, the apparatus will auto matically return toservice and counters and 64 are simultaneously reclutched along withtripping of valves-45 and 45' from recirculation to blend. At thattimepointers l25and I25 will be displaced by an angular-amount fromthe'set point and control va1ves'44 and/or 44 will bewidc open callingfor fluid. -Meters33 and 33 will therefore have to run ahead in orderto'bring arm 25 back to its set point thereby making'upthe shortagewhich occurred in cutting themachine off the line. At the completion ofa blending operation the mastercontrol switch. 120 may be turned to'theoff position after shuttingsoff the component pumps43 and 43 by. turningswitch 6! and El and tie-clutching the diifercnti'als by turning pistolgrips I05 and I55. This puts'the blender completely outof service. Inthe event that a change in formulation of the blend is vto be made andoperations'are to be continuedithe main switch I29 is'turnedtodrive,=at'which time all components are put back into recirculationthrough valves and M, mete1's .33;and'-I33, 3-way valves 45and.45,.andconduits 41 and' ll, and at the same time the totalizers :aredeclutched. At this point the operator manually resets the totalizersiieand Sitozero and resets the ratio controllers'lii and |5"-to.1thenew/percentage values required for the new product. :He may also resetmaster rate controller 14 in-the event a new rateof end product :fiowisnesired. In the event that the. product :has previously been made andcalibrations of ratio controllers l5 and i6 have alreadyheen'establishedrthere is no necessity for going through the testposition and the operator may turn switchJZfl through the test positionand go directly on'blend. L'HoW- ever, should-he so desire, hecanpre-test the lend as previously described.

.Should the change informulation require a new component notpreviouslyin thesysteinghe will turn the masterswitch l2il'baos: to drive and thenturn pistolgripstl and/orafilfltothe blow-back position. Thisvwill:automatically stop pump 43 and/orr3'rand'open 3eway .valves 5land/or 5!, admitting compressedaairtolthe air eliminator which is thehighpointof the recirculation system. The .air will driveithe previousfluid out through-conduits 42 andidl backto -the supply source. A newfluid: is thenconnected-to the system andrpistolgrips -E5! end/or ti areturned from blow-back to the "6011 position, starting pump 43. The'newfluid is-then'f-deliverecl through the air5eliminator 59 andiifliandthrough the recirculation conduit 4! and IT. The recirculationwill:continue-untiltthe float in the air eliminator 56 closes L a-wayfivalves j-5l and/orifil'. At that vpointalight IZ l-or 424' isilluminated, indicating that blow back. has been completed. The operatorcan then proceed-to his test runandto blend 'as hereinbeiore-. described.

I claim:

1. An-apparatus for proportioningthe flow of a plurality of liquids tobe combined comprising a master power pacingconstant rate --rotativemember, the speed of which is-unity for the volume of the combinedliquids atanyinstant during operation, a plurality'of-flow linesand aratio control for each 'flow line responsive "to changes in the speed ofthe pacing-member and adjustable to predetermine the volume of 'the flowof liquid through each'flow-linein definite proportions to the speed'ofsaid-rotative power pacing member at any instant during operation and adifferentialmeans'for each -fiow line responsive to the speed of theratio controller and the volume of liquid moving through said flow' 75line'for controlling 'thezfiow of :saidliquid;at a

ratio: governed by .said'ratio: controller, :and means for recirculatingthe liquid. inzaiportionoi" each .line in definite proportion -.tothe-specdoi 'said .power pacing force at anyiinstantiduring opera tion,a counter for each flow line ior'indicating the proportion of ,theindividual I volume. of the 'flow of liquid in' each flow .line inrelation to the speed of the pacingsmember, means-for recirculating thefiow of liquidin a portion of-each flow ;.=lin upon a failure offlow inany fiow' line, and means automatically operable for :clisccnnecting allof said counters upon the sem -recirculation of saidlliquid and operableto automaticallyreengage said counters upon said iailure oi llow :havingbeen corrected.

3.-An apparatus for proportioning tliefiowof -liquidscomprisinga'masterconstant rate motor,

30-a rotatable member in'ithe line of flow ofweach of a plurality ofliquidsv adapted .to'produce' for 'aiunit volume of 'fiow-ofdiquidadefinite angular movement of the rotatable"member,- a valve forcontrolling the flow of liquid to said rotatable member, adifierentialxhaving two primary shafts :and one secondary shaft movableuponadiiference in rotation of said primary shafts a power transmittingmeans between said motor and said difierential for rotating a firstprimary shaft of said'difierential at a constant speed, a ratiocontroller adjustable to control the speed or said transmitting means indefinite proportion to the speed of themotorat any instant duringoperation, a second power transmitting mean between said rotary memberand said differential-to rotate the second primary shaft thereof,andmeans actuated'by thesecondaryshaft of said differential toinstantaneously operate said-valve to control the-flow of liquid tosaid'rotateble member to rotateasaid second'primary'shaftat a speedequal to the said first primary shaft, a counter for each. flowline-.connected to said power transmittingmeans, and clutch meansbetween the first said power transmitting means and saidfirst primaryshaft whereby said-transmitting means and first primary shaft may bedisconnected and theaccumulated readings of said counters may becompared to the speed of the pacing member without 'the passingof liquidthrough said flow lines.

4. An. apparatus as set forth in claim' 3 wherein an adjustable masterrate controller of the'infinitely variable stepless integrator type is12rovided for controlling the speed of the master power source.

'5. 'An apparatusicrcontrolling a flow of liquid, a line 'offiow'iorsaidliquid, a master constant rate rotative power source, a rotatablemember in said lineiof 'fiow'adapted to produce for a unit volume offlowof liquid aidefinite constant angular movement of said rotatablemember, a recirculating flow line; connectedto-said line of flow on'theoutput side of said rotatable member,

said recirculating flow-line including the portion of said line offlowthrough said rotatable memher, a first valve for controlling the fiow ofliquid to said rotatable member, a second valve for con trolling theflow of liquid from said rotatable member and to said recirculating flowline, a differential, a power transmitting means between said rotativepower source and said differential to rotate a first primary shaftthereof at a corn stant rate, a ratio controller adjustable to controlthe speed of said transmitting means in definite proportion to the speedof the master power source, a second power transmitting means betweensaid rotary member and said differential to rotate a second primaryshaft thereof, means actuated by a secondary member of said diiferentialto operate the said first valve to control the flow of liquid to saidrotatable member to rotate said second primary shaft at a speed equal tothe said first primary shaft, and limit means operable upon movement ofsaid secondary membe to operate said second valve to open saidrecirculating fiow line to the flow of liquid upon failure of the flowin the said first flow line.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim in which said second valve iselectrically operated.

'7. An apparatus for proportioning the flow of a plurality of liquids indefinite proportions to a unit volume of liquid after combined,comprising a master constant rate rotative power source common to saidplurality of flows and the speed of which is unity of volume of thecombined flows at any instant during operation, a rotatable member ineach line of flow of said liquids adapted to produce for a unit volumeof flow of liquid a definite constant angular movement of said rotatablemember, a valve for controlling the flow of liquid to each of saidrotatable members, a differential having two primary shafts for eachline of flow, a power transmitting means between each of saiddifferentials and said rotative power source for rotating a firstprimary shaft of its respective differential at a constant speed, aratio controller for each of said power transmitting means adjustablefor controlling the speed of rotation of each of said first primaryshafts in definite proportion to the speed of the master power source, asecond power transmitting means between each rotatable member and itsrespective differential to rotate the second primary shaft thereof, andmeans actuated by a secondary shaft of each of said differentials tooperate the said valve in its respective flow line to instantaneouslycontrol the flow of liquid to its rotatable member to rotate the saidsecond primary shaft of its respective differential at a speed equal tothe said first primary shaft of said differential and clutch meansbetween said differential and said power transmitting means whereby saidpower sources may be placed in operation prior to the connection thereofto said differentials.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 in which a counter is providedfor each ratio controller to indicate the speed of rotation of the powertransmitting means controlled thereby.

9. An apparatus for controlling the flow of a plurality of liquids indefinite proportions to a unit volume of liquid after combined,comprising a master constant rate rotative power source providing apacing system, the speed of which is unity of volume at any instantduring operation, a rotative member in each flow line adapted to producefor a unit volume of flow of liquid a definite constant angular movementof said rotatable member, an air-operated valve in each of said flowlines, a differential for each line of now, a power transmitting meansbetween each differential and said 'rotative power source for rotating afirst primary shaft of each differential at a constant speed, a ratiocontroller for each of said transmitting means adjustable forcontrolling the speed of rotation thereof in definite proportions to thespeed of the pacing system, a second power transmitting means betweeneach of said rotatable members and its differential for rotating thesecond primary shaft of its respective differential, an air controllerfor each flow line actuated upon movement of a secondary member of eachdifferential to operate the valve controlled therebyto control the fiowof liquid through each rotatable member to rotate the said secondprimary shaft of its respective differential at a speed equal to thespeed of the first primary shaft of said differential, means forrecirculating the liquid in a portion of each flow line upon failure ofany fiow line and upon failure in the air line.

10. In an apparatus for controlling the flow of a plurality of liquids,a plurality of flow lines for said liquids, a recirculating line in eachof said flow lines, air-operated valve for controlling each of said flowlines and its respective recirculating line, said valves being normallyopened for the flow of liquid through said fiow lines and closed to theflow of liquid through said recirculating lines, a solenoid forcontrolling each of said valves, electrical means actuated upon afailure of any of said flow lines to energize all of said solenoids toclose said valves to the flow of liquid through said flow lines and opensaid valve to the flow of liquid through said recirculating lines, saidelectrical means operating to automatically re-establish the flowthrough all of said flow lines upon the correction of said failure andmeans responsive to a failure in the air supply to any of said valvesfor closing all of said valves to the flow of liquid through said flowlines and to open said valves to the flow of liquid through saidrecirculating lines.

11. An apparatus for proportioning the fiow of a plurality of materialscomprising an adjustable master power pacing constant rate rotativemember, the speed of which is unity for the volume of the combinedliquids at any instant during operation, a plurality of flow lines, ashaft rotatable to operate each flow line, a, ratio con trol device foreach flow line driven from said rotative member and adjustable todeliver to its shaft a desired fraction of the speed of said rotativemember, means controlled by each shaft for delivering a volume of liquidproportional to the speed of the shaft by the total of the liquidsdelivered adding to unity represented by the speed of the rotativemember, a clutch interposed in each shaft between said control deviceand said means, a counter driven by each shaft on the control deviceside of the clutch whereby disconnecting the clutch causes operation ofthe counters without delivering material.

12. An apparatus for proportioning the flow of a plurality of materialscomprising a plurality of supply lines, a rotatable member in eachsupply line adapted to produce a definite angular movement in responseto unit volume of flow through said line, a valve for controlling theflow to each rotatable member, a valve on the delivery side of eachmember to control the delivery thereof to the blended mass, adifferential for each line having two primary shafts and one secondaryshaft movable upon the difference of rotation of said primary shafts, apower transmitting means secondary shaft to control all of the valves enthe delivery side of @said members upon failure of the supply throughany -.one of the-supply lines.

13. .An apparatus as in claim 12 wherein the last said means restoreseach of the last said valves to its prior position upon curing of thefailure of said supplytline.

RUDY :P.

References Cited in the .-fi1e of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSNumber Name .Date Kennedy July .30, 1935 Short Dec. 17, 1935 Short 17,1935 'Bur't June 11 1940 Laufier et a1 July 1'6, 1940

